The present invention provides a means for mounting a distance magnification device such as binoculars and a visual recording device such as a camera, simultaneously on a single recording device mount. The embodiment provides a means of configuring the distance magnification device and the visual recording device such that both may be trained on a common focal point. An example embodiment comprises a primary mounting means having a base and a substantially vertical, longitudinal member. A secondary vertical member is engaged with the primary mounting means and includes an interference means to engage the members along a longitudinal range of motion. The secondary vertical member includes a horizontal shaft including a knob at the proximal end and an engagement means at the distal end, providing engagement with a common fitting found on many binoculars. The secondary vertical member further comprises an engagement means for engaging with the visual recording device.
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1. A brace for engaging a recording device mount with a camera and a distance magnification device, comprising:
a lower longitudinal member having a base portion with a first fitting for attachment to the recording device mount, and having a first linear portion extending above the base portion in the longitudinal direction, the first linear portion having a rectangular cross section with wide and narrow sides, the first linear portion having a plurality of threaded holes in one of the narrow sides of the first linear portion along the longitudinal direction;
an upper longitudinal member slideably engaged with the lower longitudinal member, the upper longitudinal member having a top portion with a second fitting for attachment to the camera, and having a second linear portion extending below the top portion in the longitudinal direction, the second linear portion having a hollow rectangular cross section with wide and narrow sides that receives the first linear portion;
an interference means engaged between the upper and lower longitudinal members providing locking adjustment in a longitudinal movement of said upper and lower longitudinal members, the interference means passing through a hole in one of the narrow sides of the second linear portion and engaging with one of the threaded holes in the first linear portion; and
a means of engagement with the distance magnification device, the means of engagement being rotatably engaged with the upper longitudinal member and inserted through a hole in the top portion, the hole in the top portion being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
wherein the first fitting and the second fitting are each threaded fittings that are parallel to the longitudinal direction with a common axis, and
wherein the base portion has a rectangular cross section in which both dimensions are larger than the narrow side of the first linear portion, and the top portion has a rectangular cross section in which both dimensions are larger than the narrow side of the second linear portion.
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Conventional photography equipment provides a standard threaded receptacle for engagement with a recording device mount on a tripod or similar stabilizing platform. It is often desirable to use a distance magnification device in combination with a recording device such as a camera or video camera. Long range photographers or videographers often use distance magnification devices such as binoculars to view the subject before engaging the recording device. Moving and adjusting between the two viewing devices involves considerable adjustment and alignment, particularly in keeping both pieces of equipment fixed on the same point.
One skilled in the art will understand that common fittings or engagement devices as found on mounting platforms of tripods and the like, can be altered to accommodate varying standards. The specific engagement means are intended to illustrate a preferred embodiment and are not intended to be limiting in any way. It is further understood by those skilled in the art that recording devices include still cameras, video cameras, including digital format devices and single lens reflex cameras and the like. For the purpose of convenience, the present embodiment is described in relation to binoculars and cameras. Such a description is solely for convenience and clarity and is not intended to be limiting in scope.
The present invention provides a means for mounting distance magnification devices such as binoculars and recording devices such as cameras, perpendicular to the recording device mount base; simultaneously, on a single recording device mount.
An example embodiment comprises a primary mounting means comprising a base and a substantially vertical member. A secondary vertical member is laterally engaged with the primary mounting means and includes an interference means to engage the members along the lateral range of motion. The secondary vertical member includes a horizontal shaft including a knob at the proximal end and an engagement means at the distal end. In a preferred embodiment a threaded portion provides engagement with a common fitting found for example on many binoculars. The secondary vertical member further comprises an engagement means for engaging with a recording device such as a camera or video camera.
It would be desirable to provide a structure that provides a means of mounting at least two visual devices on a recording device mount platform.
These and other non-limiting features or characteristics of the present disclosure will be further described below.
The following is a brief description of the drawings, which are presented for the purposes of illustrating the disclosure set forth herein and not for the purposes of limiting the same.
A more complete understanding of the components, processes, and apparatuses disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to demonstrate the present disclosure and are not intended to show relative sizes and dimensions or to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.
Although specific terms are used in the following description, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structures in the drawings and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function.
The term “about” when used with a quantity includes the stated value and also has the meaning dictated by the context. For example, it includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity. When used in the context of a range, the term “about” should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the range “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.”
A threaded fitting employed to engage two members or to provide interference so as to prevent movement of components may be substituted by another longitudinal interference means though may be referred to as a threaded fitting for the purpose of brevity.
One skilled in the art will understand that a threaded receptacle may receive a transitional fitting that accommodates one fitting at one end and provides a fitting of a different standard at the opposing end. The threaded fitting 118 is further illustrated in
Additional details and features are illustrated in
A method of focusing the for example a recording device such as a camera and a distance magnification device such as binoculars on a shared focal point allows the user to set a shared focal point and view through the binoculars while recording images with the camera or other visual recording device.
Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function.
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